I was thinking about the blind beggar this morning that Jesus healed in Luke 18:35-42.  The beggar called out to Jesus, and when Jesus asked him what he wanted – he declared “I want to see.”

So honestly, here I am at the beginning of January, 2104 with just that thought – I want to see.  I want to see more of Jesus in me, flowing out of me.  And, I think I am at a new level of being desperate for that because I am so desirous and desperate to make a difference in the lives of not only myself, but in the lives of others.  And, the passage in Luke teaches me more about how Jesus treated people, and how He wants me to respect and treat people.

What I am learning and thinking about deeply – it takes faith to believe in yourself.   Jesus has made a difference in our lives through the spiritual experience of healing salvation.  Jesus reached down to me, just like He did that beggar, and helped me to see.  Just like that beggar, everything in me and around me changed when Jesus saved me from sin and then set me on the journey of healing me physically and spiritually.  Who am I reaching out to and sharing Jesus with so they can believe?  They themselves, as a result of the hope they find in being saved, in relationship with Jesus –they too now see!

I am learning more about how limitless God is.  He wants me to believe in myself and in what He has equipped me to do here on this earth.  That belief stretches me in ways of acknowledging every day that I serve a greater power than myself or than the culture around me.  Here in the 21^st century, that is not always a popular thought is it?  How desperate though am I to see?

I am learning to believe in the new goals I have and am pursuing for the year 2014.  One goal is to continue to the process of getting out of debt.  It is going well and I believe God is watching, and He is pleased.  There has been an increased financial favor, which has made it possible to be more giving to others such as Empowering Haitian Moms and going on a mission trip, than I ever imagined in early 2013.  So, it is exciting to consider the goal and plan of going back to Haiti, and asking for the increased wisdom in how to help Haiti’s people in greater ways – showing Jesus love and His power, His character and His divinity.  Jesus – God – with skin on!

I am thankful for the friends who believe in me;  Friends who cheered me on in the midst of obtaining a Master’s degree; friends who have prayed and interceded for me as Women’s Ministry has progressed to year 2014; friends who come alongside to shoulder burdens; friends who share the vision of mentoring others.  I am thankful for new friends who were committed to becoming “un-stuck” and provided the privilege of taking them through Cleansing Stream to obtain more freedom!  Teaching on identity was a personal blessing – Jesus is unique and He is unique in how He deals with you and me because of His deity!    Jesus – fully God.   Jesus – fully human.   Jesus – Emanuel – “God is with Us.”  This is God who helps us live the Christian life and have relationship fully with Him, and relationships with people who I can call friends.  How amazing is it that Jesus calls His believers, Friends of God.  Friends - we are in great company aren't we?

I am seeing more clearly – Jesus was God with me/us.  The Holy Spirit is God in me/us. 

Will I be still and wait upon Him that I may See?  Jesus, Please  Help me to See and Help my Unbelief!

Seeker

January 1, 2014 - Welcome to the new year! 

My Words from the Lord the last 3 years:

2012 - Keep your eyes focused upward on Jesus, not "stuff."
2013 - Settle it!
2014 - Faith, Hope, Belief - Be a Seeker of Jesus.

I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help?  Psalm 121:1

Did you know that you have Jesus Christ - the Holy Spirit - within?  It creates within me this desire to ask what is the best I can do in 2014 for Him as a result of an intimate invitation to get to know Him better, and as a result, know the real me better. The real me; the one with weaknesses and with strengths.

What do you and I really want?  Jesus invites each of us to Come and See - to KNOW Him as a seeker.  I do not want to rely on what everyone else thinks and says or has experienced about Jesus.  I want to know first hand for myself.  I am more thirsty for Him than ever before beginning this year 2014.  What I have figured out, is though I think I am the one pursuing Jesus, God is really the One who is passionately pursuing me!  How awesome is that!

I LOVE reading what Dave wrote in Psalm 139.  Our hearts are examined and it is confirmed He knows everything about each of us.  He goes before us.  He follows us and blesses us.   And, how can we even fathom that there is never escape from the Holy Spirit and its presence...Always there with guidance and support.  How precious are the thoughts about ME, about you!  Oh God - He is always, always, always with me and you.  Yes - God is a God who pursues with relentless love each of His precious children. 

So, the year begins by drawing nearer to God with a 21 day fast and the study of being a Seeker and friend of God.  The only requirement to nowing and having a relationship with Him is that we must desire and want it.  Jeremiah 29:11 states, "I know the plans I have for you.  Plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

In 2014 I want to understand more fully the key(s) to finding God by seeking Him more intimately with consistency.  What about you?

"Every one of has conceptions and preconceptions about God.  Allow yourself permission to meet and explore God outside of your own box - not as you and I think He is - but as HE is" (Donna Jones, 2012, Seek, p. 42).

Happy New Year!